Breast pump



Oct. 4 1927.

E. LASKER BREAST PUMP Filed Aug. 2, 1923 Patented Oct. 4, 1927.

UNITED JSTATES EDWARD LASKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BREAST rumr.

Application filed August 2, 1928. Serial No. 655,245.

Fig. 1 is V side elevationof the apparatus,

and

Fig. 2 is a view, partly. in section, suction pump and milk receiver,

Referring to the drawing, designates a base on which theapparatus'is'preferably mounted. 11 is an electric motor and 12 a of thecasing containing a reduction gearing of any suitable construction.Supported on the easing are a pair of upright spaced supports 13 havingbearings at the top for gudgeons 14;, 15 formed on the head 16 of a pumpcyl-, inder 17 which is thus pivot-ally supported on the gear casing 12.The cylinder 17 contains a piston 18 having a rod 19 connected by apitman 20 to a wrist pin 20 eccentri cally arranged on a disc 21 on theoutside of casing 12, the shaft 22 of which disc is rotated at arelatively slow speed by motor 11 through reducing gearing (not shown)of any suitable type in casing 12. The gudgeons 14,

and into the gudgeon 14 is fitted a nipple 23 for a flexible tube 2 1,the other end of which is attached to a nipple 25 on a preferablyglobular vacuum chamber 26. The

chamber 26 is provided with a flaring mouth piece or breast appliance 27to fit over the breast. The mouth piece has a tubular extension 28projecting preferably within the chamber to a point below the .air'exitnipple 25. From the bottom of the vacuum chamber projects a milk outletnipple 29 on which is arranged a tapered valve tube 30 of flex iblematerial such as rubber, the lower end of which is slit at 31.

Preferably the vacuum chamber and its mouth piece and nipples are made,of glass, the mouth piece being fused into the chamber so as to formtherewith a single integral structure which obviously may be very easilycleaned and sterilized. The valve tube may be removed and cleaned, andalso tube 24, when necessary, so that all parts subject to contaminationmay be kept in sanitary condition. The invention is not, however,limited spring on the valve.

' chamber.

15 are tubular and communicate with the interior of the pump cylinder tothe exact structure of the milk receiver which may be modified as toform.

Fixed 1n the other hollow udgeon 15 is an elbow fitting 132 formed wit aartition 33 having a small orifice 34 theret rough and beyond thepartition is a coiled spring 35 hearing on a ball valve.36 seating overan orifice 37in the end of a bonnet 38 which is threaded on the end offitting 32 for the purpose of adjusting the pressure of the Preferably avacuum gauge 39 is arranged on the head of the pump cylinder to indicatethe vacuum developed in the apparatus by the pump. The pump cylinder 17is clamped between the head 16 and a lower open head on ring 40 by meansof bolts 41. The pump structure may be readily disassembled, as will beseen, and the parts cleaned when necessary.

. The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The pump at its downstrokes creates suction impulses which are transmitted to the breastthrough tube 24 and the vacuum The intensity of these impulses maybe-varied while the machine is in operation, by turning the bonnet 38 soas to adjust the compression of spring 35. In practice the valve is setat first toproduce a very low vacuum, say one or two inches PATENT0FFICE.-

of mercury, inorder to avoid shock to the patient likely to causeinhibition of milk flow. The vacuum is then gradually in creased to amaximum'of from five to nine inches, the normal suck of healthy infants.The number of such strokes per mmute may be varied by changing the speedof the motol through a suitable rheostat indicated dia grammatically at42. Ordinarily the suction impulses to imitate the sucking of an infantwill vary from 40 to 80 per minute. The milk is drawn through the mouthpiece 27 which has an air-tight fit around the breast and into thechamber 26 below the air exit nipple 25, so that no milk will enter theair line, the milk passing downwardly into the valve tube 30. Thecapacity of the pump cylinder 17 is considerably greater than would berequired simply to provide the desired suction on the breast, and thevalve 36 will be so adjusted that a certain amount of air is drawn intothe cylinder on the suction strokeof piston 18. On the return stroke ofthe piston, the ball valve 36 will close,

through tube 24 to vacuum chamber 26, thus and this air must be expelledcreating a positive back pressure in the breast appliance, and, togetherwith the weight of the milk, bringingabout the discharge of the milkthrough slit 31 into some suitable vessel in which it may be collected.

The valve 30 acts not only to discharge the h milk (in the embodiment ofthe invention shown) but as an automatic vent to limit the amount ofback pressure. The breast appliance 27 has a smooth conical innersurface against which the breast is drawn on the vacuum pulsationpreventing undue distension and bringing about a compression like theaction of an infants lips, the breast being repelled from the conicalsurface by the pressure pulsation. The pulsating action has therefore amassaging effect on the breast which is often beneficial. The course ofthe milk through the apparatus is short so that the possibility ofcontamination 1S minimized. Between each suction impulse there is aperiod of rest at substantially atmospheric pressure or at a pressurewhich may be increased slightly above atmospheric pressure. It will beunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to the particularmeans shown for producing the intermittent suction impulses. In fact,the invention includes all modifications within the scope of theappended claims.

As the pump is operated by a motor the suction impulses are uniform, themaximum intensity as well as the duration and frequency of the suctionimpulses beingthe fame, subject, of course, to adjustment for differentpatients. Between each suction impulse there is a period of rest atatmospheric pressure, or slightly above. The breast appliance isconnected with the pumpby flexible tubing so that it may be easily heldagainst the breast with a slight pressure, which is not affected by thepump movement as would be the case with a hand operated device in whichthe breast appliance and exhauster were rigidly connected. Theintermittent, regular and even suction and pressure impulses, the latterresulting from back pressure of air during the periods of discharge ofmilk from the vacuum chamber,

' have a massaging effect which has been found very beneficial instimulating milk secretion and have even produced milk flow from breastsconsidered dry. The machine can be successfully used on patients havinginverted nipples. The machine can be used also on engorged breasts,caked breasts and fissured or cracked nipples effectively and withoutpain by reducing the maximum vacuum intensity from, for example, nineinches of mercury, which is the average for normal cases, to as low astwo and one-half inches if necessary.

I claim: a p 1. In a breast pump, the combination of a vacuum chamberhaving a valved milk outlet, a breast appliance unobstructedly connected with the chamber, and means for producing alternate suction andpressure impulses in the vacuum chamber and breast appliance comprisinga reciprocatin pump aving one valveless connection with the valcuumchamber and a separate valved air in et.

2. In a breast pump, the combination of a vacuum chamber having a valvedmilk outlet, a breast appliance unobstructedly connected with thechamber, and means for pro- ,ducing alternate suction and pressureimpulses in the vacuum chamber and breast appliance comprising a pumpcylinder, a piston in the cylinder, means for reciprocating the piston,a valveless tubular connection between the cylinder and the vacuumchamber, a separate air inlet to the cylinder, and a valve in said inletpermitting a restricted flow of air to enter'on the suction stroke ofthe piston.

3. In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination of a breast applianceformed to fit over the breast, means providing a chamber to receive milkfrom the breast appliance and mechanism for alternately reducing the airpressure in the breast appliance below and increasing it aboveatmospheric pressure in recurrent pulsations.

4:. In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination of a breast applianceformed to fit over the breast, means providing a chamber to receive milkfrom the breast appllance, and mechanism comprising a vacuumand pressurepump and motor for driving the same for alternately reducing the airpressure in the breast appliance below and increasing it aboveatmospheric pressure in recurrent pulsations of uniform fre- J quencyand intensity.

5. In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination of'a breast applianceformed to fit over the breast, means providing a chamber to receive milkfrom pliance, mechanism comprising a vacuum and pressure pump and motorfor driving the same for alternately reducing the air pressure in thebreast appliance below and increasing it above atmospheric pressure inrecurrent pulsations of uniform frequency and intensity, and means forvarying the intensity of the vacuum produced.

6. In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination of a breast applianceformed to fit over the breast, means providing a chamber in unobstructedcommunication with and arranged to receive milk from the breastappliance, air pumping mechanism operating to alternately produce avacuum and a pressure above atmospheric pressure, and a flexiblevalveless tube for operatively connecting the breast appliance andchamber with said air pumping mechanism.

7. In a breast pumping apparatus. the

the breast appump.

' breast against combination of a breast appliance formed to fit overthe breast, means providing a chamber in unobstructed vcommunicationwith and arranged to receive milk from the breast appliance, air pumpingmechanism comprising a reciprocating vacuum' and pressure pump, a motortodrive the same and means for admitting outside air tothe um End aflexible tube operatively connect ng the chamber and breast appliance tothe 8. In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination of a rigid breastappliance to fit over the breast having an inner smooth conical surface,means roviding a. chamber to receive milk from t e breast appliance,mechanism for alternately reducing the air pressure in this breastappliance below and increasing it above atmos heric pressure inrecurring pulsations whic draw the breast against and repel it from saidconical surface, and a flexible tube by means of which the breastappliance is operatively connected with the aforesaid mechanism.

9. In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination of a rigid breastappliance to fit over the breast having an inner smooth conical surface,means providing a chamber to receive milk from the breast appli ance,mechanism for alternately reducing the air pressure in this breast apliance below and increasing it above atmosp eric pressure in recurringpulsations which draw the and repel it from said conical surface, aflexible tube by means of which the breast appliance is operativelyconnected withthe aforesaid mechanism, and means for varying theintensity of the vacuum produced.

10. In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination of a rigid breastappliance to fit over the breast having an inner smooth conical surface,means providing a chamber to receive milk from the breast appliance,mechanism for alternately reducing the air pressure inthis breastappliance below and increasing it above atmospheric pressurein recurringpulsations which draw the. breast against and repel it from said conicalsurface, a flexible tube by means of which the breast appliance isoperatively connected with. the aforesaid mechanism, and means providinga vent for excess air during the pressure pulsations.

11. In abreast pumping apparatus, the combination of a rigid breastappliance formed to fit over the breast for' a substantial distancebeyond the nipple and support the same against distension, saidappliance having an inner smooth conical surface, means providing achamber to receivemilk from the breast appliance, motor driven mechanismfor alternately reducing below atmospheric pressure and increasing theair on the vacuum stroke of the pump,

pressure in the breast appliance in recurring pulsations which draw thebreast against and release it from said conical surface, means wherebythe patient may. vary the in tensity of the vacuum to suit the conditionof thebreastduring the operation of the apparatus, and aflexible tube bymeans of which the breast ap liance is operativel} connected with theaoreSaid mechanism.

12. In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination of a rigidbreastappliance to fit 'over the breast having an inner. smooth conicalsurface, means roviding a chamber to receive milk from the breastappliance, mechanism com rising a vacuum and pressure pump, an a motorfor driving the same for alternately reducing the air ressure in thebreast appliance below an increasing it above atmospheric pressure inrecurring pulsations of uniform fre uency and intensity, which draw thereast against and repel it from said conical surface, a flexible tube bymeans of which the breast appliance is operatively connected with theaforesaid mechanism, and means whereby the intensity of the vacuum may abe adjusted.

13. -In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination of a rigid breastappliance to fit over the breast having an inner smooth conical surface,means providing a. chamber to receive milk mechanism comprising a vacuumand pres sure ump, and a motor for driving the same for a ternatelyreducing the airpressure in the breast appliance below and increasing itabove atmospheric pressure in recurring pulsations of uniform frequencyand intensity, which draw the breast against and repel it from saidconical surface, a flexible tube by means of which the-breast applianceis operatively connected with the aforesaid mechanism, means whereby theintensity of the vacuum may be adjusted, and means prov ding a vent forexcess air during pressure pulsations.

14. In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination ofabreast appliancethereon, mechanism comprising an air pump and motor for driving the samefor exhausting the airfrom said milk receiver and breast appliance inre? curring pulsations of uniform frequency and intensity, a valve foradmitting regulatable amounts of air into the apparatus during thesuction pulsations, and a flexible tube operatively connecting saidreceiver and breast appliance with the pump.

15. In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination of a milk receiverhaving a substantially conical breast appliance thereon formed to fitover the breast for a substantial distance beyond the nipple and supportthe same against distension, mechanism comprising an air pump and milkreceiver having a motor forfrom the breast appliance, v

driving the same for exhausting the air from Said milk receiver andbreast appliance in recurring pulsations of uniform :fre uency andintensit a flexible tube operative connectin sai receiver and breast appiance vwith t e pump, and means on a stationary part of the apparatuswhereby the patient may vary the intensity of the vacuum to suit thecondition of the breast while the apparatus is in operation.

16. In a breast pumplng apparatus,.the

combination of a breast appliance formed to fit over the breast, meansprovidlng a eham'-.

ber to receive milk from the breast appliance, a reciprocating vacuumand pressure pump operativel connected with said breast appliance and camber, and means for admitting air in regulatable quantities into the Ipump on the vacuum stroke, so that pressure" above atmosphere is createdin the breast appliance on the alternate pump.

strokes of the 17. In a breast pumping apparatus, the combination ofmeans to fit over the breast and receive milk drawn therefrom providedwith an automatically opened outlet to reduce pressure in said means,and mechanism for alternately evacuating and creating a tervals ofhigher pressure to limit such pressure, and means for varying theintensity of such suction impulses.

EDWARD LASKER.

permitting the escape ing mechanism 1

